Electrical appliance for the cure of deafness.



No. 65|,472. Patented June I2, 1900..

w. J. TINDALL.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE FOR THE cum: 0F DEAFN'ESS.

(Application filed Fab. 8, 1899.)

(No Model.)

NrrEn STATES WILLIAM J. TINDALL,

OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE FOR THE CURE OF DEAFNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651 ,472, dated June12, 1900.

Application filed February 8, 1899. Serial No. 704,895. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. TINDALL, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York city, county of New York, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricAppliances for the Cure of Deafness, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts.

This invention relates to an improved electric appliance fortherapeutical purposes; and the object thereof is to provide a simpleand effective means for applyinga mild continuous current of galvanicelectricity directly to-the auditory organs of a human being for thealleviation and cure of deafness. This object is attained by the use ofthe in vention comprised in the novel construction which will behereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the annexedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figurel isa side view of a human ear having my improved appliance attached.Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device, drawn to actual size. Fig. 3is an end view on an exaggerated scale; and Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional elevation, same scale as Fig. 3.

In the practice of my invention I employ, primarily, a galvano-electricgenerator comprising a copper anode A and a zinc cathode B, the anodebeing cylindrical and of a contour approximating a truncated cone andthe cathode being contained within said cylinder and comprising a disk22 and a solid projecting portion b. This is my preferred construction;but I do not confine myself to the specific details thereof, as it isobvious that under the scope of my invention I am entitled to structuralvariations. Neither do I confine myself to the exact shape of the deviceas herein shown, and I may substitute other anodes and cathodes for thecopper and zinc bodies above described.

In combination with the appliance, as a means for generating thegalvanic current, I employ any adapted acid or combination of acids indilute solution.

In use the fluid acid media is applied to the surface of the projectedconical portion of the appliance byimmersing the same, wherebyasufficient quantity of acid is absorbed to make the circuit and generatea current of electricity which is continuous until the acid isevaporated, a single application of acid being sufficient to maintain acurrent for a considerable length of time. Having charged the appliance,the projecting portion is forced within the auditory meatus toward thetympanic membrane, the outer face of the disk being back of and incontact with the tragus and the antitragus, as illustrated by Fig. 1 ofthe drawings, and the appliance is left within the ear until the currentsubsides.

It is well known that mild continuous currents of galvanic electricityregularly applied are conducive to general healthfulness, and thisappliance, supplying such a current directly to the auditory organs,causes increased activity, restores vitality to the affected parts,andthereby alleviates and finally cures deafness.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As a thereapeutical appliance for the alleviation of deafness, thecombination of a solid body or core and a sleeve surrounding andembedded into the same, the said parts alternatively consisting of ananode ora cat11- ode and beingof aform adapted forintroduction into themeatus ofa human ear; whereby when the device is coated with an excitingagent galvanic action will take place,substantially as shown anddescribed.

2. As a new article of manufacture a galvano electric applianceembodying a solid cathode and a cylindrical anode surrounding the same,the cathode having an annular flange on its outer end, the device beingof a form adapted for insertion into the meatus of a human earsubstantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in presence of two witnesses, this 25th day of January, 1899.

- WILLIAM J. TINDALL.

